The debate about genetically modified organisms – GMOs – in food, that's the topic when the 2013-14 Heuermann Lectures season begins at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the University of Nebraska.

Sally Mackenzie, of the Center for Plant Science Innovation at UNL will present "Beyond GMOs to a More Honest Dialogue About Our Food."

Mackenzie is a professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and the School of Biological Sciences at UNL, with research focus in plant genetics, epigenetics, genomics and organelle biology.

Organelles are specialized parts of a cell that control energy production.

She is the founding director of UNL's Center for Plant Science Innovation, and is the Qiushi Chair professor for Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China.

She is an elected fellow in the American Society of Plant Biologists and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the author of numerous refereed journal articles and invited book chapters, and an invited lecturer nationally and internationally.

Heuermann (pronounced Hugh-er-man) Lectures in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL are free and open to the public. Lectures focus on providing and sustaining enough food, natural resources and renewable energy for the world's people, and on securing the sustainability of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and renewable energy occurs.

Heuermann Lectures are made possible by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, long-time university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.

Lectures stream live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu, and are broadcast on NET2 World at a date following the lecture.